Lineman&#39;s climbing hook



July 22, 1952 J. A. TRIMBLE LINEMANS CLIMBING HOOK Filed Oct. 9, 1950 Patented July 22, i952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2,604,25Q V LINEMANS' CLIMBING HOOK John A. Trimble, Columbia, Mo.

Application October 9, 1950, Serial No. 189,216

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in climbing devices such as are commonly used by telephone linemen, timbermen and others for ascending and descending poles and trees.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide a leg attached climbing device having an improved spur or gaff construction whereby the wearer is assured of a better connection between the implement and the pole or tree, thereby providing, a greater safety factor than that found in climbing devices of the character at present in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a climbing hook having an improved leg band construction, whereby a strong and safe arrangement is obtained without increased bulk and weight.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of, the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described since obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the inner side of the hook, with portions broken away.

Figure 2 is a view of the same from the rear.

Figure 3 is a top plan view.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral generally designates the body of the device.

The body comprises the long shank portion II which is formed of spring steel and is in the nature of a fiat bar, as shown.

The lower end portion of the shank is broadened for a portion of its length in a substantially elliptical plate [2 and this plate merges at its lower end with an upcurved end l3 of a stirrup H which at its opposite end terminates in the upturned tongue l5.

As shown in the side view forming Figure 1 the stirrup portion l4 slopes upwardly toward the rear of the device, the longitudinal edge Ha being the front edge and being lower than the long edge 14b, which is the back edge.

Secured to the outer side of the tongue I is the vertical loop It for the reception of a securing strap, not shown.

Upon the outer side of the plate l2 are secured, preferably by welding, the two spurs l1 and i8,

2 the points Ila and I811 of which are directed downwardly and outwardly, as shown in Figure 2.

As is shown in Figure 1, the spurs l1 and 18 are in spaced, parallel, side by side relation and the rear spur I1 is longer in the pointed portion than the spur [8. When the device is in use as the wearer ascends the pole both points penetrate the pole or tree at the same time, due to the short hook being in front and the hooks being the proper length to so engage. Thus, in the event that there may be a crack in the pole in which one hook may enter, the other point will enter a solid portion thereby avoiding possibility of an accident. Also, with two points the weight is better distributed than is the case where a one point climber is used.

At its top end the shank has a short straight terminal portion Ila to the front edge of which is welded an end edge of an arcuate steel band 19, which encircles the front and sides of the leg.

The band I9 is encased between two leather straps 20 which may be secured together at the top and bottom edges and along the end edges by stitching, cementing or any other suitable means. The leather may be cemented to the metal strap l9 also.

The numeral 2| designates a strap loop which is vertically disposed and has its two ends inturned as indicated at 22 and passed through the outer leather 20 and the metal strap I9, and swaged over at its ends, as shown in Figure 4. This loop receives the strap, not shown, which surrounds the lineman's leg to secure the top end of the device in position.

From the foregoing it will be evident that there is provided by the present invention, a lineman's hook which will be strong and durable and will provide greater safety to the user than books of the type at present in use.

I claim:

1. In a climbing hook, a member formed of a length of spring steel and having a relatively long shank portion and a laterally disposed lower end portion provided with an upturned portion at the free end thereof, the latter portions constituting a foot supporting stirrup, a relatively broad band of the spring steel of substantially U-form having the free end of one of its leg portions secured to the inner side of the upper end portion of the shank, said band to be engaged about the front and opposite sides of the leg of the wearer, said shank being substantially widened adjacent the connected end of the laterally disposed portion, a pair of spaced parallel,

3 downwardly and outwardly sloping spurs mounted on the outer side of the said widened portion, a strap attaching loop mounted on the outer side of the upper end of the shank and medially with respect to the upper and lower edges of the band,

and a second strap attaching loop mounted on the outer side of the said upturned portion, said laterally disposed portion being transversely sloped in a manner that its back heel engaging edge is higher than the front edge thereof.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, with a flexible covering, such as leather, enclosing the inner and outer sides and the end edges of the band.

JOHN A. (GUS) 'I'RIMBLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

